Trump Reportedly Weighing Possible Pardon for Binance’s Changpeng “CZ” Zhao Amid Memecoin Conflict‑of‑Interest Concerns

• Trump reportedly leaning toward a CZ presidential pardon

• CZ pleaded guilty in 2024 to a single Banking Secrecy Act violation and was fined $50 million; Binance paid $4.3 billion as part of the settlement.

• Decision timing is uncertain; sources cite White House concern about optics given Trump family crypto ties and ongoing policy priorities.

Changpeng Zhao presidential pardon: Trump reportedly “leaning toward” a pardon for CZ after his 2024 plea; COINOTAG explains the timeline and implications.

By COINOTAG — Published: 2025-10-13. Updated: 2025-10-13

What is the status of Changpeng Zhao’s presidential pardon?

Changpeng Zhao presidential pardon reports indicate the Trump administration is reportedly leaning toward granting a pardon to CZ, who pleaded guilty to a single violation in 2024 and served four months in U.S. custody. Sources cited by media commentator Charles Gasparino say a decision is expected soon, but internal White House concerns over optics remain.

The initial reporting came from New York Post columnist and Fox correspondent Charles Gasparino, citing people close to Zhao. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and Binance have not issued public confirmations beyond previously reported plea terms and sanctions.

Under the plea, Binance agreed to a $4.3 billion settlement with U.S. authorities and Zhao was assessed a $50 million personal fine. Zhao also stepped down from the Binance CEO role and faced a judicial prohibition on working at the exchange as part of his plea agreement.

According to reports, those advocating for a pardon argue the underlying case lacked fraud charges and that the single Banking Secrecy Act (BSA) violation was treated especially harshly in context.

Charles Gasparino reported that “Trump… is leaning toward a pardon,” and sources say a decision may hinge on timing and public optics related to the president’s business and family ties to crypto.

“Thank you, Charles. Great news if true. Minor correction, there were no fraud charges. I believe they (the DOJ under the last administration) looked very hard for it, but didn’t find any. I pleaded to a single violation of the Banking Secrecy Act (BSA),” Changpeng Zhao posted in response to coverage. He also noted his unique status as being sentenced for a single BSA violation with no prior history.

Source: Charles Gasparino

How likely is a pardon for CZ and what could block it?

Likelihood is described in current reporting as moderate but uncertain. Supporters inside the administration argue the case lacked fraud charges and that penalizing CZ so severely set a questionable precedent. Opponents within the White House worry about optics, given President Trump and family crypto involvements, including memecoin ventures and decentralized finance projects associated with affiliates.

Key factors affecting the decision:

• Legal record: CZ pleaded to a single BSA violation in November 2023, served four months, and paid a $50 million personal fine; Binance paid $4.3 billion to resolve separate enforcement actions.

• Political optics: White House staffers are reportedly concerned about perceived conflicts given Trump family crypto ties and recent pardons in the crypto sector (e.g., BitMEX founders and Ross Ulbricht cited in public reporting).

• Precedent and enforcement: Some industry observers, including former reporters covering crypto enforcement, view CZ’s case as an aftershock of enforcement zeal following the FTX collapse and the high-profile prosecution of Sam Bankman-Fried.

Public indicators—such as shifting odds on prediction markets and changes to CZ’s public profiles—have fluctuated since the reporting first surfaced. Polymarket and other markets were referenced in coverage as signaling increased probability, though markets are not determinative of executive decisions.

Source: Changpeng “CZ” Zhao

Frequently Asked Questions

Did Changpeng Zhao formally apply for a presidential pardon?

Yes. Changpeng Zhao confirmed on the Farokh Radio podcast that he had formally applied for a pardon after media reported he had sought one. His public statements emphasize that his plea was limited to a single BSA violation and that he received no fraud charges.

Will President Trump pardon CZ?

It is not confirmed. Reports say President Trump is reportedly leaning toward a pardon, but a final decision had not been publicly announced. White House insiders cited concerns about optics and competing administration priorities.

Key Takeaways

• Reported momentum: Sources tell reporters the administration is reportedly leaning toward pardoning CZ, but no official pardon has been announced.
• Case specifics matter: CZ pleaded to a single Banking Secrecy Act violation; Binance settled for $4.3 billion and Zhao paid $50 million.
• Optics and precedent: White House concerns about conflicts of interest and enforcement precedents could delay or alter the outcome; stakeholders are monitoring closely.

Conclusion

Reporting as of 2025-10-13 indicates that a Changpeng Zhao presidential pardon is under active consideration, with a decision expected soon but not guaranteed. The situation combines legal history, political optics, and post-FTX enforcement dynamics. COINOTAG will continue monitoring official statements from the White House and the U.S. Department of Justice and will provide updates as new information becomes available.

Author: COINOTAG. Sources referenced in reporting (plain text): Charles Gasparino, New York Post, Fox, Eleanor Terrett, Farokh Radio podcast, U.S. Department of Justice, Polymarket.